[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 35 (Thursday, February 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8074-8075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3020]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Fund Availability Under VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the 
availability of funds for applications for assistance under the 
Technical Assistance Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant 
and Per Diem Program. This notice contains information concerning the 
program, application process, and amount of funding available.

DATES: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three 
completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless 
Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and 
Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on April 4, 2007. 
Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be the only electronic 
format accepted. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX) or 
other electronic means (e-mail). In the interest of fairness to all 
competing applicants, this deadline is firm as to date and hour, and VA 
will treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is 
received after the deadline. This includes applications through 
Grants.gov. Applicants should take this practice into account and make 
early submission of their material to avoid any risk of loss of 
eligibility brought about by electronic transmission problems, 
unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

For a Copy of the Application Package: Download directly from VA's 
Grant and Per Diem Program Web page at: http://www.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-
877-332-0334. In this package is information on Grants.gov submission 
should applicants so desire. For a document relating to the VA's 
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, see the Final Rule 
codified at 38 CFR Part 61.0.

Submission of Application: An original completed and collated grant 
application (plus three copies) must be submitted to the following 
address: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Field Office, 10770 
N. 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617. Applications must be 
received in the Grant and Per Diem Field office by the application 
deadline. This includes applications submitted through Grants.gov. 
Applications must arrive as a complete package. Materials arriving 
separately will not be included in the application package for 
consideration and may result in the application being rejected or not 
funded.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers 
Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North 
46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa FL 33617; (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces the availability of 
funds for assistance under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem 
Program for eligible non-profit entities with expertise in preparing 
grant applications relating to the provision of assistance for homeless 
veterans to: Provide technical assistance to those non-profit 
community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to 
homeless veterans in order to help such groups apply for grants under 
the Final Rule, published in the Federal Register, September 26, 2003, 
or to

[[Page 8075]]

apply for other grants from any source for addressing the problems of 
homeless veterans.
    The Veterans Benefit, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 
2006, Public Law 109-461, Sec.  703 and Sec.  707 respectively, 
authorizes this program. Funding applied for under this notice may be 
used for: (a) Group or individual seminars providing general 
instructions concerning grant applications; (b) Group or individual 
seminars providing instructions for applying for a specific grant; or 
(c) Group or individual instruction for preparing analyses to be 
included in a grant application. Seminars (course of instruction) may 
be delivered in electronic, face-to-face and correspondence 
methodologies (e.g., Internet-based training, video teleconferencing, 
computer media such as CD or disk).
    Entities that are interested in providing technical assistance 
should be aware that historically the Grant and Per Diem Program office 
receives over 1,200 nationwide inquiries per Notice of Fund 
Availability (NOFA) from prospective applicants. It is estimated that 
an additional 1,000 inquiries are received nationwide at VA Medical 
Center Homeless Programs. From these inquiries, VA has seen an increase 
in the number of applicants each year. Approximately 100 to 300 
applications per funding round have been received in past responses to 
(NOFAs under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. 
Additionally, faith-based organizations that are capable of providing 
supported housing and/or supportive service center services for 
homeless veterans have figured prominently into the mix of non-profit 
organizations seeking funding. Those entities applying to provide 
technical assistance should consider not only the numbers, but the 
diversity of the service providers seeking assistance when establishing 
their service plans.
    The applicant for this funding will be expected to develop an 
integrated technical assistance plan, using funds for purposes as 
specified in this NOFA, the objectives of the program rules and 
regulations, as well as the intent of Public Law 107-95 to offer 
technical assistance to agencies in their-specified target area. 
Applicants should take note that they will be held accountable to 
provide to VA documentation that demonstrates the objectives of 
technical training are being met throughout the course of the award 
cycle, and documentation that clearly demonstrates the completion of 
technical assistance objectives were met, cumulatively, at the end of 
the funding period. Also, VA intends to conduct both periodic fiscal 
and performance reviews of the awarded agency(s).
    The technical assistance should not only raise the awareness of 
providers regarding the availably of funds to assist homeless veterans, 
but also increase providers' proficiency in applying for and managing 
funds to assist homeless veterans. Applicants should take the 
aforementioned into consideration when developing a technical 
assistance plan. Outcomes measure that are specific and measurable 
should be an integral part of the technical assistance plan that is 
submitted in the application.
    Grant applicants may not receive assistance to replace funds 
provided by any State or local government for the same purpose.
    Authority: VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program and 
Special Need Grant are authorized by Public Law 109-461, Sec.  703 and 
Sec.  707 respectively, the law is known as the Veterans Benefit, 
Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006, codified at 38 
U.S.C. 2011, 2012, 2061, 2064. The program is implemented by the Final 
Rule codified at 38 CFR Part 61.0. The Final Rule was published in the 
Federal Register on September 26, 2003, the regulations can be found in 
their entirety in 38 CFR 61.0 through 61.82. Funds made available under 
this Notice are subject to the requirements of those regulations.
    Allocation: Approximately $2 million is available for the technical 
assistance grant component of this program. Funding will be for a 
period not to exceed 2 years from the date of award. Not more than 
$500,000.00 per year per technical assistance provider will be awarded.
    Funding Priorities: With increased oversight of grantees in the VA 
Grant and Per Diem Program, as well as all Federal programs, it is 
imperative that when preparing grant applications, potential applicants 
are provided technical assistance on what is necessary to ensure proper 
compliance with the grant application as written. In order to target 
specific voids of information as related by past Grant and Per Diem 
applicants, VA establishes the following funding priorities:
    Funding priority 1. Eligible entities that will provide all of the 
following specific technical assistance activities annually in the 
quantity indicated or greater per year will be placed in funding 
priority one.
    The activities are:
    (a) 25 national presentations to potential grantees with regard to 
providing measurable objectives;
    (b) 25 one-on-one project planning sessions that are consistent 
with the ability of the grantee to meet their objectives and deliver 
the housing and or services as stated in their grant applications;
    (c) 12 on-site grant management systems reviews with emphasis on 
proper grant project outcome documentation; and
    (d) 25 national presentations to non-profit grantees and potential 
grantees regarding Office of Budget and Management (OMB) grant 
management circulars.
    With this criteria, of those eligible entities in the first funding 
priority that are legally fundable, the highest scoring applicant will 
be funded first, followed by the second highest scoring applicant until 
$2 million is funded. Of this group, not more than one (1) Technical 
assistance grant will be awarded to the same technical assistance 
recipient (defined by tax identification number). Using the guidance 
above, should the goal not be met and if funding is still available, 
remaining funding will go to the second funding priority.
    Funding priority 2. Should funding still be available, eligible 
entities providing general technical assistance activities as stated in 
the regulations will be placed in the second funding priority. Of this 
group, not more than one (1) Technical assistance grant will be awarded 
to the same technical assistance recipient (defined by tax 
identification number). Of those eligible entities in the second 
funding priority, that are legally fundable, the highest scoring 
applicants will be funded first until funding is expended.
    Application Requirements: The specific grant application 
requirements will be specified in the application package. The package 
includes all required forms and certifications. Selections will be made 
based on criteria described in the application. Applicants who are 
selected will be notified of any additional information needed to 
confirm or clarify information provided in the application. Applicants 
will then be notified of the time in which to submit such information. 
If an applicant is unable to meet any conditions for grant award within 
the specified time frame, VA reserves the right to not award funds and 
to use the funds available for other Grant and Per Diem applicants.

    Dated: February 16, 2007.
R. James Nicholson,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7-3020 Filed 2-21-07; 8:45 am]
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